Body Images

Studies show a recent government report shows 61% of adults and 66% of children feel negatively about their body image. Advertisements and the internet have played a major role in many people's lives, and people struggle to not compare themselves to the models online and advertisements and even in day to day life.

One body image survey found that 61% of adults and 66% of children feel negative or very negative about their body image most of the time. Some 62% of women feel negatively about their body image.

The new age of technology and advertisement, which can be seen by almost everyone online, has set standards on how someone should look, what they should wear, how to achieve the body of a model, and the “perfect look”. The real issue is the lack of reflection on the diversity of real bodies.

            Trends online found in websites like TikTok and Instagram have had a toxic impact on the younger generation. An example are the “What I Eat in a Day" videos that can be found on TikTok, showing that said creator barely eats and keeps a slim figure;telling their viewers what is healthy for them and what food they should throw in the trash.

            “Seeing other girls' bodies online can sometimes be frustrating knowing that my body doesn’t look like that.” NHS freshman Ellie Lemieux said.

Although the creators intentions are allegedly not meant to be condescending, some people may subconsciously feel that they are overeating and that what they are eating is wrong. Or just scrolling through sites men and women have a body that someone else wants. People in the comments praise the creators for eating or not eating enough, but when it comes to someone who looks differently or eats differently they are bullied and shamed for it.

“People are becoming progressively more image-obsessed, and I think that the progression of social media algorithms drives some of that,” Dr. Byrne said. “It really is an unhealthy dynamic, especially for young people who are still developing their self-esteem.”

These unrealistic beauty standards expect that, and aren’t truly real even though they seem real to the keene eye. Filters and editing tools are common nowadays; apps like VSCO, Snapseed, and Picsart are some of the more common editing apps that people can access online for free.

“I think part of the time I know that people online are using filters but other times you can clearly tell they are not. If I know they're wearing filters I don’t feel insecure but often when I don’t know it can be discouraging.” NHS freshman Ellie Lemieux said.

 These filters mask the way people look in real life differently online. Yet, sometimes the filters look extremely real when in fact it was edited and it gets people to think that said person looks like this in real life.

“We see that filters and editing tools are driving a lot of self-concern and anxiety,” Byrne said. “When you don’t like the way you look on screen, you can just magically fix it with the swipe of your finger on the screen.”

Many big brands have started to have a diverse group of people in their ads. This promotes a positive message of body acceptance and inclusivity.

The brands have a diverse representation, emphasizing that all bodies are worthy of respect no matter how you look regardless of shape, ability, and size.

The lack of diverse body representation in advertising promotes unrealistic beauty standards, negatively impacts the body image and self-esteem of young people, reinforces harmful stereotypes, and contributes to mental health issues.

Advertisements are now pitching in to help the body positivity movement. Brands like Summersalt are using plus size models. Knix are using non- binary models and every model is a different race. Also, Glossier who recently just launched their Body Hero Campaign which promoted their new brand of body washes. The campaign featured a diverse group of female models with varying shapes, sizes, and colors that highlighted the natural beauty of each one.

            “I think body positivity is very important because all bodies are beautiful and everyone should learn to appreciate theirs.” NHS freshman Lemieux said.